Rooftop tent for your Land Cruiser: which one fits and what your roof can take
A Land Cruiser and a rooftop tent: that is not a fad, that is the combination we drove through Mauritania and the Sahara with ourselves. Five weeks, no campsite, in bed in about a minute every evening. On this page you will read which rooftop tent fits a Land Cruiser, what to look out for with the roof load and the roof bars, and what we learned from it ourselves.
Why a rooftop tent works so well on a Land Cruiser
A Land Cruiser has a long, flat roof and, on most versions, a sturdy roof structure with fixed mounting points or roof rails. That is exactly what a hardshell rooftop tent of over two metres long needs. The tent lies on the roof over its full length, does not overhang anywhere and sits low enough that you do not notice it in every bend. Add the ground clearance and the four-wheel drive: you get to places a normal car does not, and there you do not want to have to pitch a tent on the ground as well.
There is a downside too, and we will just say it: a Land Cruiser is tall. With a rooftop tent on top you gain another 11 to 14 centimetres, plus the roof bars. Car parks and low branches become something to keep an eye on.
Which rooftop tent fits a Land Cruiser?
All three of our hardshells fit, size-wise, on the roof of a long-wheelbase Land Cruiser. The difference is in weight, space and how you climb in.
| Dune | Oasis | Savannah | |
|---|---|---|---|
| People | 2 | 2 to 3 | 2 to 3 |
| Weight | 60.5 kg | 66 kg | 74 kg |
| Closed (cm) | 212 × 131 × 11.6 | 213 × 151 × 11.5 | 212 × 145 × 13.8 |
| Interior height | 144 cm | 124 cm | 148 cm |
| Opening | clamshell | side | clamshell, at the front |
The Dune is the lightest and the choice for anyone travelling as a pair who does not want to load the roof more than necessary. The Oasis has the side opening: the ladder stands beside the car, so the tailgate of your Land Cruiser stays free for the cool box, the drawers or the spare wheel carrier. On a Land Cruiser with rear doors that swing outwards, that is a big plus. The Savannah gives the most headroom and is the heaviest of the three.
Not sure? Compare all sizes and prices or take a look at the Oasis, the Dune and the Savannah.
Roof load of a Land Cruiser: check it, do not promise it
Here we have to be honest. The permitted roof load of a Land Cruiser differs per generation, per version and sometimes per model year. A 70 Series with roof rails is a different car from a 120, a 150 or a 250. That is why we deliberately make no promise per model. What we do: help you work it out.
Do the roof load check with your number plate for a first estimate of the dynamic roof load (what the roof may carry while driving). Compare that with the weight of the tent plus your roof bars. The figure in your car's owner's manual is always leading, everything on our site is subject to confirmation. The static weight, so tent plus two sleepers while the car is parked, is almost never a problem: no braking, cornering or pothole is acting on the roof then.
Roof bars and fitting
Roof bars are not included with the tent and you arrange them yourself, because they have to fit your exact version. Two crossbars are enough; they must be at least as wide as the tent and the distance between the bars must match the mounting rails of the tent (on the Dune those are 70 cm apart). Count on 7 kilos for the bars. On a Land Cruiser with a roof rack or a platform, the tent goes on top of that; the weight of the rack then counts towards the roof load.
If you collect the tent from us in Hoogwoud, we help fit it to your Land Cruiser free of charge and supply stronger bolts than the ones that come in the box as standard. Lifting 60 to 74 kilos onto a tall roof is not a one-person job; so come as a pair or let us do it. Read more about roof bars in which roof bars do you need for a rooftop tent.
How the tent held up on our own Land Cruiser
Erwin and Sandra drove through Mauritania for five weeks with a hardshell on the Land Cruiser. Force 8 winds on the coast, fesh-fesh sand that creeps into everything, 45 degrees during the day. The tent stayed shut, the mattress stayed free of sand and the bed was ready in about a minute every evening. Read the whole story: five weeks in Mauritania with a rooftop tent. What did not survive that trip, we do not sell.
Rent first, then buy
Not sure whether rooftop tent travel is for you? Rent the Dune for a weekend or a week first, we fit it to your Land Cruiser and take it off again. If you buy afterwards, the full rental fee is deducted from the price. This is how renting works.
Questions? Just message or call us
Send your number plate or make, model and model year to +31 6 28075883 or email info@lcmoffroad.com. Then we will work out together which tent and which roof bars fit your Land Cruiser.
Frequently asked questions
Which rooftop tent fits a Toyota Land Cruiser?
Size-wise, the Dune, Oasis and Savannah all three fit on the roof of a long-wheelbase Land Cruiser. Which one it will be depends on your roof load, how many people sleep in it and whether you want to keep the tailgate free (then the Oasis with side opening is handy).
How much roof load does a Land Cruiser have?
That differs per generation and version; we deliberately do not quote a figure per model. Do the roof load check with your number plate for a first estimate and check it against the owner's manual. Everything subject to confirmation.
Can a rooftop tent go on the roof rack of a Land Cruiser?
Yes, if the rack is made for it and the weight of rack plus tent stays within the roof load. Ask the rack manufacturer for the dynamic and static load.
How much taller does my Land Cruiser get with a rooftop tent?
The tent itself is 11.5 to 13.8 cm high when closed, plus the height of your roof bars. Count on 15 to 25 cm extra in total.
Do you help with fitting?
Yes. If you collect the tent in Hoogwoud, we fit it to your car free of charge with stronger bolts than standard. You bring your own roof bars.